Match-machine



m e e h S LW e m w. 3 Ri. Em Bm HA .SM .H .Tm .A BM. q. d 0 M..V 0 mmsNo. 595,978. Patented Deo. 21,1897.

WITN ESSES (No Model.) 3`Shee`ts-Sheetfl2.

B. T. STEBER.

MATGH MACHINE.

Paten fied Dec. 21. 1897.

WITN ESSES INVENTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet, 3.

(No Model.)

B. T. STBER.

MATGH MACHINE. No. 595,978-' Patented Dec`..`21,-1897.

WITNESSES UNHED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD T. STEBER, OF UTICA, NEI/V YORK.

MATCH-MACHINE.

SPEOIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 595,978, dated December21, 18,97.

Application filed' July 13, 1897. Serial No. 644.406. (No model.)

T0 al whom it may cmwern:

Be it known that I, BERNARD T. STEBER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Machines; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich` it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for cuttingmatch-splints, and more particularly to that class of machines which areadapted to cut the splints from blocks of wood by means of areciprocating cutter and deposit the same in endless carrier-belts bywhich they are carried through suitable heating and paraffining meansandl are supplied with heads from a suitable composition-vat.

It consists in certain novel constructions, combinations, andarrangements of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully de-` scribedand 'claimed In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a sideelevation of my improved match-machine. Fig. 2 represents a verticallongitudinal section through the compositionvat. Fig. 3 is a plan viewof the same. Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the mechanism forcutting the splints and depositing them in the carrier-belt, parts ofthe same being shown in section. Fig. 5 represents a plan View of aportion of the carrier-chain, showing the camsemployed for operating thesame. Fig. 6 is a detail sectionalview of the reciprocating cutter and aportion of the carrier-chain. Fig. 7 is a detail end elevation of t-hematch-cutting machine, showing the means for removing the matches fromthe carrier-chain. Fig. 8 is a detail vertical sectional View showingthe means for knocking out match-splints which have escaped thedelivering` mechanism. Fig. 9 represents a top plan view of two groupsof slats forming part of the Carrier-chain. Fig. 10 represents an endelevation of the same, and Fig. 11 represents a detail view showing oneof the slats used in my improved chain. Fig. 12 represents a detail viewof the cams for feeding the chain and spreading the slats thereof forejecting the matches at the end of the machine.

A in the drawings represents a machine for cutting match-splints; B, aheating device; O, a paraflining mechanism, and D a composition-Vat.

In manufacturing matches with my improved mechanism I preferably employan endless chain E, which is adapted to pass through the machine A,where it receives rows of match-splints from a reciprocating cuttermounted therein. After the chain has received the said splints itcarries them over a heater B, which is -provided with suitable heatingmeans, which consist, preferably, as indicated in the drawings, ofcoil-pipes, as b, connected with any suitable steam or hot-water heatingmechanism. After passing over the heater B the matches are carried tothe paraffining mechanism O, which consists of a tank c, holdingparaffin or a similar solution and being provided with chaindepressingmeans, as c'. This chain-depressing means consists of pivoted links 0202, having rollers 03 at their lower ends, which bear upon the upperside of the chain and depress it sufficiently to cause the ends of thematch-splints to be dipped into the solution of paraffin. From theparaffining device the chain passes to the composition-vat D, whichforms an important feature of my inverition.

The composition-vat D consists, preferably of an outer tank, as d,mounted upon suitable standards, and an inner reciprocating tank d'.

.The outer tank is adapted to hold Water,which surrounds the inner tankand Which is kept in a heated state, 'preferably by passing aheating-coil through the bottom of the said tank, as at (12. The innertank d' is adapted to hold a suitable composition for providingigniting-heads for the matches. In order to place this composition uponthe matchsplints, I employ a roller, as cZ, mounted upon a shaft dll,which has bearings formed upon the outer tank d. Power is communicatedfrom the shaft d4 from any suitable means in order to rotate the roller623. The roller ds is so arranged as to have its periphery constantlyclipping into the composition in the vat below it, and as the roller isrevolved the composition will be carried up upon the periphery thereofand will be brought in contact with the lower ends of the match-splintsin`tl1e carrier-chain E, which is arranged to IOO cated with very littlefriction.

pass just over the roller. In order to prevent clogging and an excess ofcomposition from sticking to the roller dg, I provide an adjustablescraper cl, which is adapted to fit the periphery of the roller, as atds, and is secured to a cross-bar d7. The cross-bar d7 is adj ustablysecured to the outer tank, as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. ItWill be observed that this form of scraper not only removes the excessof the composition from the periphery of the roller, but is also adaptedto scrape the composition from each side of the roller. In order toreciprocate the inner vat d', a pitman, asf, is pivotally secured, asatf', to one end of the said vat. This pitman extends out over the edgeof the outer tank d and is secured to a crank, as fz, from Which itreceives its motion. The crankf2 is mounted upon a shaft f3, which issuitably carried by an arm ff, Which is fastened to the outside ofV thetank cl. A power-Wheel f is secured to the shaft]03 and is adapted toreceive motion from any suitable power mechanism, as by the use of abelt. In order to movably support the vat cl/ Within the outer tank cl,rollers or small wheels, as f6 f, are preferably secured upon the bottomof the said vat. These rollers run upon the bottom of the tank d, andthus permit the vat cl' to be recipro- In order to assist in keeping thecomposition in the vat in a thoroughly-agitated condition, I provide astati'onary agitator G, which is supported just above the bottom of thevat d'. This stationaryagitator may be constructed in any desired form;but I find it advantageous to use simply slats g, united and heldtogether by means of rods g' g', Which run through a perforation in eachof the slats g g. Small spacing-sleeves ,(/2 g2 are preferably placedbetween the vslats to hold them at the desired distance apart. Theseparts after being assembled are all clamped together by means of nuts(1393, applied upon the ends of the rods or bolts g' gl. To one end ofthe agitator is secured a supporting-arm 94, Which extends upwardlyabove the.vat cl and is rigidly secured to another arm 95. The onter endof the arm 95 is preferably pivotally secured to the outer tank d, as atg. By this simple construction the agitator can be held stationary inthe bottom of the vat d, and When it is desired to clean the same it canbe swung upwardly and outwardly upon the pivot gs, Which will greatlyfacilitate the cleaning operation.

After receiving the heads of igniting material from the composition -vatthe matchsplints are carried by the chain B back and forth upon asuitable drying-frame, as N. This drying-frame is preferablymade ofsuitable length and is provided With supportingshelves, as n n, overwhich the chain passes. Standards, as n' n', support the shelves and maybe constructed in any suitable and desired manner. Pulleys, as 11,2 nz,may be 'arranged upon horizontal shafts h* 7L2.

` slats.

` broken slat.

mounted upon the frame Nto assist the chain in passing through thedrying-frame N.

In order to prevent the necessit-y of the operators using the machinehaving to go from the composition-vat clear around the end of the frameN, I arrange the supports 'n' n' near the vat D, so as to form anopening, as By the use of this opening an operator can pass quickly fromone side of the machine to the other Without goingr around the endsthereof.

The chain E is preferably of the endless type and consists of a seriesof slats grouped together, so as to receive the matchsplints betweenthem. These slats are preferably held together upon the said splints bymeans of suitable Springs interposed between said groups. A These groupsof slats may be linked together in any suitable way so as to formfiexible joints between the same and thereby form a flexibleCarrier-chain. In order to move this Carrier-chain along its path, Iemploy a series of cams, as I-Lwhich are preferably mounted upon thesplint-cutting mechanism. In employingasplint-carryingchain of thischaracter and one which is adapted to be moved by means of camsinterruption in the operation of the machine is apt to occur by some ofthe slats forming a component part of the said chain being broken, andwhen the broken slat reaches the feedingcams there is nothing for thecam to engage and the chain is therefore caused to halt. In order toobviate the chance of any such dilficulty, I have conceived the idea ofemploying two or more cams so arranged as to engage the slats of thechain to feed it forward. As shown in Figs. et and of the drawings, twocams, as h h', are employed at the for- Ward end of the splint-cuttingmachine and The cams h h are located just above the splintcutter a, andare formed With Spiral flanges h hs, which are made tapering inthickness, as illustrated, whereby the said flanges are adapted to passbetween the slats of the carrier chain and open them to receive thesplints brought up by the cutter a. The cams h' h' are also providedWith spiral flanges lr* hi; but these flanges are not made tapering anddo not pass between the slats of each group, but preferably engage theouter surfaces of the slats of each group, thus being adapted to feedthe chain forward without opening the It will be apparent from thisconstruction that should a slat become broken one set of cams Wouldalways engage sound slats and move the chain forward irrespective of theThe cams are adapted to be revolved by any desired or suitablemechanism, preferably by that illustrated in the drawings. The cams h'h' may be secured upon the shafts h2` 11,2 at any desired point thereonand upon either side of the cams h h without departing from the spiritof my invention.

After the chain E has received the match- IIO splints from the cutterand they have been suitably treated and provided with heads and passedthrough the drying mechanism they are again returned to the machine Aand pass to the delivering mechanism. As shown in Figs. 7 and 4z of thedrawings, camst'', similar to cams h h', are used at this end of themachine A to assist in feeding the chain and to open the slats forejecting the completed matches. The cams t' 'i are provided with oflanges of tapering thickness, which are adapted to open the slatsforming the chain E, so that thematches maybe forced out from betweenthe slats, as by a platen I, Fig. 4. The platen I may be reciprocated inany suitable manner, and the completed matches are preferably ejectedupon an endless belt t2, which serves to collect them, so that they maybe gathered and placed in boxes. The cams t" are preferably mounted uponthe same shafts that carry the cams t z', but are provided with flangesWhich do not taper, they being constructed to feed the chain forwardwithout opening the slats.

It will be evident that any number of cams may be employed for feedingthe chain forward without departing from-the spirit of my invention.

After the matches have been eje'cted from the chain carrier E the chain,with its empty groups of slats, passes again to the splint-cutter a toreceive a new charge of splints. The cutter a may be formed inanysuitable manner and is preferably constructed so as to cut a numberof splints at a time. The cuttera is mounted upon a machine A, as at a',and is connected to a crank 0.2 bymeans of a pitman as. The crank a2 isformed upon a shaft at, provided with a belt-wheel a. The beltwheel maybe connected with any suitable power mechanism and the shaft a4 be thusrotated to impart the desired reciprocating movement to the cutter a. Asit is necessary for the cutter to come quite close to the chain E indepositing the splints therein, it is necessary for the same to pass upbetween two rows of splints in the said chain, as shown in Fig. 6 of thedrawings. On account of the small space between the rows of splints thebar as, to which the cutter a is secured, is of necessity made narrow,and in order to increase the strength of the said bar a6 I preferablybevel the lower edge thereof, as at cfi, and in this way obtain a bar ofgreater depth and consequently possessed of greater strength.

In using chains in match-machines of this kind it often happens that themechanism for delivering the completed matches fails to eject all ofthem and now and then leaves a few of the splints sticking in the saidchain. It has been common to use a revolving cutter-head provided withknife-edges, which are caused to revolve in close proximity to saidchain below the delivery mechanism, so as to catch any stray matches andknock them out of the chain. In accomplishing this purpose I mount arevolving cutter-head, as J,

upon the machineAbelow the ejecting-cams MC The cutter J is providedwith a series of blades, asjj, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of thedrawings, which when the cutter-head is revolved comes in closeproximity to the chain E. In order to prevent the chain from beingforced away from the cutter J, Va track portion j' is formed on theframe A just to the rear of the chain. In order to prevent the blades jjfrom coming in contact with the chain E, I provide the cutter-head withend disks, as t7'2, which will bear against the chain, but will hold theblades ata suitable distance therefrom. The cutter-head J may berevolved by any suitable and well-known means. In order to prevent anyback movement of the chain E on account of the action of the cutter J, Iemploy pivoted dogs, as j3j3. The dogs jsjs are preferably angular inshape and pivoted to the frame E below the ejecting mechanism and areadapted to be held in constant contact with the chain E by means of theweight of their Outer ends. It will be seen that after each group ofslats passes the dogs 7'3 they immediately assume a position behind thesame, so that the slat cannot make a retrograde movement.

While Imay employ a chain of any suitable construction in the use of mymachine, yet I prefer to use achain formed of slats and links, asillustrated in Figs. 9, 10, and 11 of the drawings. In this constructionthe chain is formed of links 6 6, pivoted together, as at 6/ 6', andprovided with central openings to receive the ends of the slats. Theslats are arranged in groups, preferably two in a group, the slat 62being formed of the same thickness throughout and provided upon itsinner surface with a piece of felt or other soft material, as 64. Theother slat 63 of each group is preferably thickened at its centralportion to give it strength, the said thickened portion tapering, as at65, to form end portions of the same t-hickness as the slats 62. Bymaking the tapered portion of the slats 63 curved, as shown in thedrawings, instead of making a square shoulder, as might be done, the endportion of the slats are greatly strengthened, and I prefer to employthis form of construction. As shown in Fig. ll of the drawings, theslats are preferably shouldered, as at 66 66, the outer reduced ends ofsaid slats being adapted to project through the central openings in thelinks 6 6. The openings in the links 6 6 are made to fit the width ofthe ends of the slats, as 67, butare preferably enlarged, as at 68, sothat a slat may be withdrawn from the links at this point, if it isdesired. The inner surface of the slats 63 63 are preferably providedwith serrations or grooves to receive the match-splints. Springs, as 6969, are interposed between the links 6 e and slats 62, so that the saidslats 62 are normally held against the slats 62 and 63. By thisconstruction a very superior chain is formed. and one which can readilybe opened to receive matchsplints and yet effectively hold thesame'after,

IOO

IIO

being deposited therein. It will also produce a chain which is soconstructed as to permit of broken slats being easily withdrawn withouttaking the links apart and new slats to be substituted in place of thesame.

As illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawin gs, the pairs of cams t'are madewith tapering fianges, the enlarged ends of which tapering flanges aresufficiently wide to spread the slats of the chain to permit of thematches being ejected therefrom. The pairs of cams i't', as seen in thesame `figure, are provided with flanges, which are made quite thin andpreferably of a uniform thickness throughout. This is quite an importantfeature of the mechine, in that the flanges of the cams z" 71/ may bepassed between the members of each group of slats either acciden tallyor designedly, and if they were not made thin they would operate tospread the slats of the chain before the proper time and thus render thematches liable to be thrown out of the chain before it is desired thatthey should be. As illustrated in Fig. 12 of the drawings, it will beseen that the flanges of the cams e" '11' may pass between the slats ofthe chain without spreading them so as to drop the matches, and the saidcams will still be just as effective in assisting to feed the chainforward as when their flanges bear on the outside of the groups ofslats, as shown in Fig. 7.

Having now described my invention,-what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a match-making machine, the combination with means for cuttingmatch-splints, of a chain adapted to receive the said splints comprising groups of fiXed and movable slats, pairs of cams for feeding the chainforward, one of each pair being provided with flanges located so as tospread the slats to receive the splints and to feed the chain forwardand the other pair of cams being adapted to engage the outer surfaces ofthe groups of slats to serve as an auxiliary feed, and means for rotating said cams,substantially as described.

2. In a match-making machine, the combination with a suitable means forcuttiug match-splints, of a chain consisting of a series of fixed andmovable slats for holding the said splints, pairs of cams, one of eachpair located to engage between the slats and open and feed them forwardand the other to engage the rear of the slats to serve as an auxiliaryfeed, and means for rotating the said cams, substantially as described.

In a machine for making matches, the combination with a suitable cutterfor cutting match-splints, a chain comprising fixed and movable slats,means for providing the splints with igniting-heads, and pairs ofWorm-cams, one of eachI pair located to engage between the slats at theend of the machine whereby the completed matches may be ejected from thechain and the other adapted to engage the slats to serve as an auxiliaryfeed, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a suitablecutter for cutting match-splints, a chain having coperating fixed andmovable slats, means for receiving the splints, means for providing thesplints with igniting-heads, pairs of Worm-cams, one of each pairlocated to engage between the slats at the end of the machine to openthem, whereby the completed matches may be ejected and the other adaptedto engage the slats, but not opening them, to serve as an auxiliaryfeed, and shafts for supporting and rotating the said cams,substantially as described.

5. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a chain forreceiving the same, coperating fixed and movable slats on the chain, andpairs of Worm-cams at the end of the machine, one of each pair beingprovided with wide flanges to engage between the slats for opening andfeeding them for- Ward whereby the matches may be ejected and the otherpair having thin fianges whereby they may engage between the slatswithout opening them yet serving as an auXiliary feed, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a machine for making matches, the combination of a cutter forcutting matchsplin ts, a carrier-chain adapted to receive the saidsplints, means for ej ectin g the completed matches from the chain and acutter-head mounted below the ejecting means consisting of a headcarrying blades adapted to knock out any splints or matches which mayescape the ejecting means and disks upon the ends of said head forholding the blades away from the said chain, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for making matches, the combination of a carrying-chain,means for placin g match-splints therein, and means for ejectin g thecompleted matches therefrom, a cutter-head adapted to knock out anymatches which have escaped the lejecting means and means for preventinga retrograde movement of the chain consisting of pivoted dogs adapted toengage the said chain whereby the chain is free to move forward butcannot move back, again, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a suitablecutter, of a chain consisting of links pivoted together, groups ofsmooth and grooved slats mounted in said links, springs also mounted inthe said links and adapted to bear upon the said smooth slats forholding them against the grooved slats, the grooved slats of each groupbeing thickened to strengthen them and being provided With tapering endportions whereby the said grooved slats will not occupy more space inthe links than the smooth ones, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for making match-splints, the combination with asuitable cutter of a chain carrier c'onsistin g of a series of slats forholding the match-splints, links pivotallysecured togethenand providedwith central apertures, one portion of the said apertures be- IIOingadapted to receive the reduced ends of the said slats and the otherportion of the said apertures being enlarged Whereby the whole slat maybe WithdraWn through the said enlarged portion and means for holding thesaid slats together substantially as described.

10. In a machine for making matches, the combination With asplint-cutting mechanism, of a chain for receiving the saidsplints,means for providing igniting-heads for said splints comprising avat adapted to hold Water, an inner moVable Vat adapted to stand in theWater, means for reciprocating the said movable vat, a stationaryagitator mounted in the said movable Vat and a roller forcarrying thecomposition upward against the match-splints, substantially asdescribed.

11. In a machine for making matches, the combination with a suitablesplint-cutting mechanism, of a chain for receiving and carrying thesame, a Vat for supplying igniting material to said splints comprising areciprocating Vat adapted to hold a suitable igniting composition,rollers upon said vat for movably supporting the same, a pitman securedto said Vat at one end and to a crank at the other, Whereby areciprocating motion may be imparted to said Vat and a roller forcarrying the composition to the ends of the matches, substantially asdescribed.

12. In a match-making machine, the combination With a suitablesplint-cutter, of a chain for receiving and carrying the same, acomposition-vat comprising an inner movable vat and an outer stationaryvat, means for reciprocating the inner vat, a stationary agitatorpivotally mounted upon the outer Vat Whereby the same is adapted to beheld stationary in the bottom of the movable vat or may be turnedupwardly upon its pivotal point for cleaning the same When desired and aroller for carrying the composition to the ends of the match-splints,substantially as described.

In testimony Whereof I hereunto affiX my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

BERNARD T. STEBER.

Witnesses:

HENRY A. STEBER, GEO. M. RABENsrEIN.

